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Eastern Triumphs, Claims Playoff Spot Eagles Will Play In Postseason After An Eight-Year Dry Spell

Eastern Washington University’s men’s basketball team earned its way into postseason competition for the first time in six years Thursday night by defeating Cal State Northridge 87-80 in a Big Sky Conference game.

By sweeping the Matadors in home-and-home play, the Eagles clinched sixth place and the final spot in the upcoming Big Sky Tournament.

The game, which left third-year coach Steve Aggers in a happy mood, was not tightly contested.

Eastern (12-9, 6-5) led by as many as 17 points in the second half. Northridge (8-13, 4-7) did not have much offense beyond Jabari Simmons, who scored a career-high 30 points.

Forward Karim Scott and freshman point guard Deon Williams had 24 and 20 points respectively for EWU.

“This was a huge win for us,” said Aggers. “Our kids played with real confidence and played very hard. We were the aggressor the whole game, and all of our bench guys contributed very well.”

Scott scored 17 of his points in the second half. He missed much of the first half with two quick fouls.

“We were really pleased with the way we played defensively,” added Aggers. The Eagles held the Matadors without a basket for the first 6 minutes of the second half.

EWU 87, CS Northridge 80

Eastern Washington (12-9) - Berger 3-5, 1-3 7, Scott 8-11 7-13 24, Lewis 1-4 2-2 4, Williams 7-13 2-2 20, Lewis 3-7 4-4 11, McGee 0-0 0-0 0, Claus 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor 4-9 1-2 10, Sims 3-3 2-2 8, White 0-1 0-1 0, Humbert 0-0 3-6. Totals - 29-53 22-35 87.

CS Northridge (8-13) - O’Quinn 5-6 1-2 6, Parris 3-4 3-5 9, Simmons 10-19 9-10 30, Cross 3-7 2-3 11, Grundy 2-7 2-2 7, Minor 1-3 0-0 3, Holmes 3-13 0-1 6, Harper 0-0 0-0 0, Heinle 0-2 0-0 0, Taylor 1-1 1-1 3. Totals - 28-62 18-24 80.

Halftime - Eastern Washington 39, CS Northridge 38. 3-point goals - Eastern 7-15 (Williams 4-5, Scott 1-1, Lewis 1-4, Taylor 1-5), Northridge 6-19 (Cross 3-4, Simmons 1-2, Minor 1-2, Grundy 1-4, O’Quinn 0-1, Heinle 0-1, Holmes 0-5). Rebounds - Eastern 36 (Taylor 10), Northridge 32 (O’Quinn, Parris 6). Assists - Eastern 15 (Williams 7), Northridge 18 (Grundy 6). Fouls - Eastern 22, Northridge 28. Fouled out - Berger, O’Quinn, Parris. Technicals - none. A - 641.

, DataTimes